Vending Machines

Automatic vending machines were developed in the United Kingdom in the 1880s. The Thomas Adams Gum Company began selling gum in vending machines on New York’s elevated train platforms. Previously, penny candy, gum and peanuts had been sold in glass jars by grocers. Coin-operated machines offered the means to sell junk foods in many other places without the need for a sales force. Vending machines took off nationally in 1901, when F. W. and H. S. Mills debuted penny-in-the-slot machines in Chicago. By the end of the decade, there were 30,000 machines selling penny candy, peanuts, and gum across America. During the early 1920s, vending machines dispensed soft drinks into cups.
By 1926, there was a vending machine for every 100 people in America. These machines generated a million dollars per day. At that time, the largest single operator was William Wrigley, who installed 10,000 slot machines in the New York City subway system.
Vending machines were also the core of automats, which dispensed more substantial food. These types of machines were also placed in offices and public areas. They sold sandwiches, pies, coffee, candy, ice cream and soda. Bottled Coca-Cola was sold in vending machines after World War II. In 1965, soft drinks in cans were dispensed from vending machines. In 1981, talking vending machines were introduced. Today, vending machines are a multibillion-dollar business, and many different products are sold in them. It is estimated that Coca-Cola products alone are sold in 1.4 million vending machines.
Vending machines became controversial when they were placed on public school campuses. In 2006, Faerie Films released a documentary film titled Vending Machine, which examined health issues as seen from the viewpoint of teenagers who have been targeted by fast food and junk food manufacturers. Efforts are underway to remove vending machines selling soda and junk foods from schools.